Keyboard for typewriters



Nov. 20, 1951 s. PIEKARSKI 2,576,039

- KEYgQARD FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed April 29, 1949 INVENTOR. 675mm P/EKARSIQ Patented Nov. 20, 1951 KEYBOARD FOR TYPEWRITERS Stefan Piekarski, Mragowo, Poland Application April 29, 1949, Serial No. 90,403 In Poland April 23, 1948 I 2 Claims. (Cl. 197-98) This invention relates to a keyboard for a typewriter and it is an object of the invention to provide means whereby the keys of the board may be operated with a minimum of effort and from a point common to all the keys.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a keyboard wherein the keys are arranged in an arcuate series concentric to the axis of a rotatable and depressible element carrying a part adapted to be selectively disposed over a key to depress the key upon depression of the element.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my keyboard for a typewriter whereby certain advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in top plan of a keyboard constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line A-A of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is diagrammatic view in top plan illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a base member I in top plan slightly in excess of a semi-circle is positioned on a typewriter in the lower forward portion thereof in substantially a horizontal position with the arcuate marginal portion thereof rearwardly disposed. The keys 2 are arranged in an arcuate series around the rear portion of the member I and each of the keys 2 is operatively engaged in a preferred manner with one of the type bars of the typewriting machine. As this forms no part of the present invention, a detailed description and illustration thereof is believed unnecessary.

The six central keys are identified as at a by the vowels of the alphabet while twenty remaining keys are identified as at b, by the consonants of the alphabet. The consonant keys are directed so that there are ten of such consonant keys on each side of the vowel keys and it is to be further noted that the consonant keys are in the recitation order of the alphabet.

Positioned on the member I at each side of the vowel keys are the lines 3 substantially radial to the axis of the arcuate series of keys 2. These lines 3 are so arranged to divide each group of consonant keys in sets of three. It is to be noted that the arrangement of the keys is such as to have the six vowel keys always in sight of the operator and these keys average forty per cent of the text. The lines 3 are also always in sight of the operator and by dividing the consonant keys into groups, the writing operation is materially expedited.

At substantially the axial center of the arcuate series of keys 2, the member I is provided with an opening 4 in which is fitted a bearing ring 5 through which is snugly and freely disposed a shaft 6 having both rotary and endwise movement. This shaft 63 has its upper extremity terminating above the keys 2 and said upper extremity carries an operation knob or head 7. Rigid with the knob or head l is an elongated rigid hand or rod 3 of a length to have its outer or free extremity selectively overlie a key 2.

The lower end portion of the shaft 6 extends below the member I and is rotatably engaged, as at 8, preferably by a ball bearing assembly, with a cross member I! having its end portions slidably engaged with the guide rods l2 depending from the member I. The rods [2 are at opposite sides of the shaft 6 and in radial alinement with respect thereto. While the shaft 6 is free to rotate with respect to the cross member II, it is held against endwise movement independently thereof so that the shaft 6 and the member ll will have movement in unison as the shaft 6 has endwise movement.

A second cross member l3 rigidly connects the rods l2 below the cross member II and interposed between the cross member i3 and the cross member H is an expansive element Id of requisite tension and herein shown as a coiled spring. The member or spring [4 operates to yieldably normally hold the shaft 6 at the limit of its upward movement as determined by contact of the pin [5 of the shaft 6 with the under surface of the member I. In the present embodiment of the invention the pin 15 is disposed substantially radially through the shaft 6. It is to be understood however, that other stop or limiting means for shaft 6 may be employed other than the pin IS without departing from the scope of the present invention.

When the shaft 5 is in its normally raised position, the rod or hand 8 has its outer or free extremity above the keys 2 so that free turning movement of the shaft may be had to selectively position the outer or free extremity of the rod or hand 8 above a key 2 so that upon depression of the shaft 6 by the operator the desired type bar will be operated.

With but little practice, an operator can acquire a speed of between one hundred and one hundred and twenty strokes a minute and with a minimum of physical exertion in comparison with the practice now generally in use.

a The end groups of the keys 2 are identified by numerals'or the usual signs of punctuation.

The embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 3 is particularly intended for use with a flat style of typewriter and wherein the base member16 has a semi-circular series of identities divided into the groups 0, d and e, the identities of the group 0 being the six vowels, the group d being the consonants and the group e being the numerals and signs of punctuation.

The combined series 0, cl and e are c'oncentric to the operating shaft H which is operated and mounted the same as the shaft ii of the first embodiment of the invention. Opposed to the series c, d and e is a semi-circular series of keys also arranged concentric to the shaft ll and divided into groups 3, g and h respectively-as the groups c,d-and e. The two series ofgroups are also on substantially the same radii with respect to the'shaft I1.

Carried by the outerportions of the :shaft ll 7 are the diametrically opposed elongated rods or arms 18 and I9, one of which, as at 18, coacting with the groups 0, d-and e and thewseoond, as at 19,-coacting with the groups '1, 9 and h. When the-shaft I! is operated to selectively position the arm or rod it over one of the identities of 'a group 0, d or e, the second arm or rod will be positioned over a similar identity in one of the groups 7, g or h, so that upon depression of the shaft H the "desired key will be operated.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a keyboard for a typewriter constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. A keyboard for typewriters including an arcuate series of keys, the central keys being identified as the vowels of the alphabet, keys at opposite sides of the central keys being identified as consonants of thealphabet arranged in the recitation order of thealphabet, an elongated rod, means for mounting the rod for swinging movement and movement axially of its mounting,

said rodbeing-of a length to extend over any one of the keys, and means for normally holding the Tod spaced from the keys.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Bate r 285,141 I Leming l Sept. 18, 1883 1 ,541,183 Powers June 9, 1925 2,189,023 Ayres Feb-6, 1940 

